Boyd's record-setting day leads No. 3 Clemson to 49-14 win at 'Cuse

Clemson quarterback Tajh BoydTajh BoydRS Sr. Quarterback#10 6-1, 225Hampton, VAView Full Profile set a school record with 455 passing yards and No. 3 Clemson rolled to a 35-7 halftime lead as the Tigers defeated Syracuse on Homecoming in the Carrier Dome by a 49-14 margin.

Boyd’s last pass of the day was a 91-yard touchdown pass to Sammy WatkinsSammy WatkinsJr. Wide Receiver#2 6-1, 205Fort Myers, FLView Full Profile with 40 seconds left in the third quarter, the second-longest play in school history. Syracuse was trailing 35-14 at the time, but the Carrier Dome crowd was into the game, and the Tigers hadn’t even broken double digits in total yards in the half.

However, the Tigers (5-0 overall, 2-0 ACC) were able to cruise after that play as many of the announced crowd of 48,961 headed for the exits. Syracuse (2-3, 0-1) quarterback Terrel Hunt – making the third start of his career – talked a little smack during the week but suffered through a dismal performance, completing just 8-of-24 passes for 52 yards.

Wide receiver Adam HumphriesAdam HumphriesJr. Wide Receiver#13 5-11, 190Spartanburg, SCView Full Profile caught three passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns, while Watkins had four catches for 126 yards.

The win also spoiled the Atlantic Coast Conference debut of Syracuse, playing its first ACC game in school history.

The Tigers took the opening kickoff and two quick passes provided an initial first down. Then, for the second game in a row, the Tigers scored on the third play from scrimmage in the game when Adam Humphries got loose behind the safety and Boyd hit him in stride to complete a 60-yard scoring play and a 7-0 lead.

Clemson’s third drive started at its own eight yard line after a 74-yard Syracuse punt, a record for the Carrier Dome. However, the bad field position did nothing to stop Clemson’s offense as Boyd directed a 10-play drive that ended with a one-yard plunge by Zac BrooksZac BrooksSo. Running Back#24 6-1, 185Jonesboro, ARView Full Profile. At that point, the Tigers led 14-0 with just over four minutes remaining in the first quarter.

The Tigers made it 21-0 on another long pass from Boyd to Humphries – this one covered 40 yards – but Syracuses’s Jerome Smith scampered 66 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter that made it 21-7.

Bashaud BreelandBashaud BreelandRS Jr. Cornerback#17 6-0, 195Allendale, SCView Full Profile ended the next Syracuse drive with an interception - his second of the year – and the Tigers took over at their own 32-yard line. Boyd once again led a scoring drive – this one took just six plays – and it ended when he hit Stanton SeckingerStanton SeckingerRS So. Tight End#81 6-4, 210Isle of Palms, SCView Full Profile on a 17-yard scoring toss to make it 28-7 with just over 10 minutes left in the half.

Boyd added a 40-yard touchdown pass to Martavis BryantMartavis BryantJr. Wide Receiver#1 6-5, 200Calhoun Falls, SCView Full Profile on the next possession, and the Tigers led 35-7. Clemson then added another drive that got the ball down to inside the Orange five-yard line, and facing a 4th-and-goal, Swinney elected to go for it instead of kick the short field goal that would have given them the 38-7 lead.

Boyd was stopped on the play, and that play fired Syracuse up.

Boyd completed 18-of-23 passes for 363 yards and four touchdowns. However, he also threw his first interception of the season in the half, the only blemish on what was otherwise a fantastic half.

The Orange came out and scored a touchdown on the initial drive of the second half that made it 35-14, and a second interception by Boyd and a fake punt by Syracuse kept adding to the Orange momentum. However, Clemson’s defense continued to hold. Syracuse opted to go for it on 4th-and-4 at the Clemson 12-yard line with just over two minutes remaining in the quarter, but the pass was incomplete.

The Tigers then responded with the biggest play of the day. Facing a 2nd-and-14 at the Clemson nine, Boyd dropped back and threw a floater that Watkins caught in stride up near midfield, and he easily outraced the defensive backs into the endzone for a 42-14 lead.

That throw gave Boyd 455 passing yards, a new school record, and the play was the second-longest play in school history. Boyd finished the day by hitting on 20-of-27 passes with the five touchdowns, but he also threw his first two interceptions of the season.

The Tigers added a late touchdown run by running back C.J. DavidsonC.J. DavidsonRS So. Running Back#32 5-11, 185Clemson, SCView Full Profile, a two-yard score, for the final points. That drive was led by area native Chad KellyChad KellyRS Fr. Quarterback#11 6-2, 210Buffalo, NYView Full Profile.